Judge Samuel. Conte of United States District Court said Lloyd Clifton 31 years old, an agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration, “honestly and reasonably believed that his act in firing to stop Dirk Dickenson, 24, of Eureka, was necessary and proper in the performance of his official duties.”

Mr. Clifton testified he had twice ordered the suspect to halt in a belief that another officer had been shot by the man.

“There is no evidence whatever that the petitioner acted wantonly or with criminal intent,” Judge Conte said.

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A version of this archives appears in print on September 26, 1974, on Page 36 of the New York edition with the headline: U.S. AGENT IS FREED IN NARCOTICS DEATH. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe